Singing superstar Lady Gaga was having one of her ‘bad days’ when out of the blue her celebrity blogger friend Perez Hilton sent her the video of unknown 10-year old Maria Aragon performing ‘Born This Way.’
The video not only saved her day it but made her so happy that she began to cry.
The incident was related to a teary-eyed Maria Aragon by Lady Gaga herself who surprised the young singing sensation with a phone call during the latter’s interview on Winnipeg radio station Hot 103 last Feb. 18.
The newfound fame has catapulted the young Canadian-Filipina from a simple Grade 5 student at Isaac Brock School in Winnipeg, to a promising future singing superstar as declared by Lady Gaga herself.
It all started last Feb. 16 when Maria uploaded her performances of some popular songs at YouTube including Lady Gaga’s latest, “Born This Way.” Having both Filipino parents but born in Canada, Maria said she has always dreamed of becoming a music performer and also enjoys playing various musical instruments.
Maria’s YouTube video has now reached more than 11 million views including that of Lady Gaga who even included the link to the video in her Feb. 17 tweet. The tweet spreads like a wildfire in the internet thanks to Gaga’s more than eight million followers on Twitter.
The record of the video-sharing website is now no. 1 in the most viewed (Today)-Canada category and no.2 in the most viewed (Today)-musicians.
Her status as the latest YouTube wonder didn’t go unnoticed by radio Hot 103 from down-town Winnipeg who promptly accorded Maria superstar treatment by picking her up with a limousine from school for an interview last Feb. 18.
During the interview, FM station HOT 103’s host Ace Burpee admitted being impressed by Maria that he promised to get her on the Ellen television talk show in the US.
Lady Gaga then surprised Maria with a phone call upon learning that the latter will be flown to Toronto (by Virgin Radio) in March to watch her show there.
After exchanging hellos, Lady Gaga further stunned Maria with an offer to perform a duet with her during the Toronto show.
Gaga was apparently struck by Maria’s beautiful voice and the sheer joy of watching her performs. Gaga was also grateful to Maria for reminding her of her music’s purpose.
“This industry is very difficult to women sometimes and they want to tear us down and tear us apart. And I worked on ‘Born this Way’ for so long and I knew that the world would rip it to shreds when it came out. But when I saw you, so young and so beautiful, singing those words so purely, it reminded me of why I wrote the song in the first place and it reminded me why I make music. So thank you so much for making my day better and thank you so much for reminding me of why I’m so passionate about what I do. And never give up on your dreams Maria,” said Gaga.
Apparently star-struck, Maria excitedly accepted Gaga’s offer and only managed to say “thank you so much” before her tears finally fell.
Maria got a taste of her possible, forthcoming duet with the Grammy winner when they sang a part of the chorus of “Born This Way” on the radio show. Towards the end of their first phone chat, Maria, still crying, thanked Gaga and expressed her love for her music.
“Don’t cry. I love you too. Thank you for believing in me. I will always believe in you. I promise you, Maria, when you grow up and become a big superstar, that I will still be there clapping for you in the audience next time,” said Gaga.
The next stop for the young singing sensation was The Ellen Degeneres Show.
Her performance on Ellen wowed the host. The young singer admitted though that she’s quite nervous sharing the stage with Lady Gaga for their upcoming performance in Toronto in March. For which DeGeneres replied that Lady Gaga really believes in her so she must enjoy the event.
After her well-applauded performance on Ellen, Maria graced Good Morning America in New York City.
“While you were playing I think the traffic stopped all over Times Square this morning, that was so fantastic,” said GMA host George Stephanopolis.
He then presented Maria with a gift certificate for six months’ worth of piano lessons.
